CUES Eye Service

Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Community Urgent Eye Service is a local NHS service offered by local opticians.

They can treat,

  • Red or painful eye or eyelids
  • Recently occurring flashes and floaters
  • Recent and sudden loss of vision
  • Foreign body in the eye

This is an NHS service provided by accredited optometrists (also commonly known as opticians).

Please note that this service is not an eye test.

Who Is This Service For?

If you are registered with a local GP in Southport where the service is commissioned, you can use this service. It is for people of all ages – adults and children – and you do not need a GP referral. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.

If you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, this is not covered by this service. In this case you should consult your usual optometrist or hospital eye service directly for advice in the usual way.

How Do I Book an Appointment With the Service?

If the service is available in your area, then you can choose and contact an optical practice directly to make an appointment. This is called self-referral.

Find a local optometry practice that offers Community Urgent Eyecare Service appointments.

An appointment will normally be required – whether virtually (telephone or video) or face to face, so please telephone first.

Please do not visit the optician without first booking an appointment. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms to assess your needs. More urgent cases will be seen within 24hrs.

If you have very minor symptoms the optometrist may advise you how to manage the condition yourself or how to seek support from your local pharmacy.

Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer appointments in the evenings and at weekends. Not all practices have an optometrist available every day, but if they don’t, they will be able to find you an alternative appointment nearby.